A full entry of 12 pairs entered for the annual Liz Yeo Calvados mixed doubles tournament at Woodland Tennis Club.

The annual Liz Yeo Calvados mixed doubles tournament (40+) was held at Woodland Tennis Club attracted a full entry of 12 pairs from all parts of Avon and Somerset.

Woodland itself was represented by Elaine Edwards and Nick Griffiths (former winners), Malcolm Carpenter and Jeremy Lambart.

There were few surprises in the initial stages and by early afternoon it was becoming apparent that the knockout section would be dominated by a trio of powerful Bristol pairs with Mike Maden and Brenda Plummer (Clevedon) and Alistair Graham and Vicky Flicker (Bridgwater) promising to be the most likely partnerships to provide the stiffest opposition.

In Group A, Mike and Brenda, won four of their five matches before being narrowly defeated 6-4 by the eventual group winners Rob Hazell and Liz Hegarty, a powerful and experienced pair from the David Lloyd Centre, Bristol.

In Group B, none of the three main contenders remained unbeaten, each winning four of their five matches. Tony Wilford and Bridget Hunter (Knowle) had been narrowly defeated 6-5 by Adrian Somerfield and Mary Walkerdine (Knowle).

They in turn had been beaten 6-4 by Alistair Graham and Vicky Flicker, who themselves had lost to Tony and Bridget 6-2 earlier in the afternoon. With the fewest games won, Alistair and Vicky were unfortunate to be eliminated at this stage.

The semi-finals saw Tony Wilford and Bridget Hunter take on Mike Maden and Brenda Plummer, while Rob Hazell competed against Adrian Somerfield and Mary Walkerdene.

Ultimately and fairly predictably in a one-set shoot-out, the outcome will often be decided on a temporary lapse of concentration at a critical moment. A service break in each set 6-4, was enough to ease Tony, Bridget, Rob and Liz narrowly into the final.

The final itself did not disappoint and proved to be one of the best matches of the day. Level at 3-3, three successive service breaks reflected the increased tension which had crept into the game.

However, at 6-5, with the prospect of a deciding tie-break eagerly anticipated by the spectators, Bridget held her nerve to serve out the match to win the title for the second year in succession with Tony.

Chairman and tournament organiser, Les Treen, thanked all the spectators who supported the event, congratulated the players on their standard of play and on behalf of the club thanked Maggie Heath and Judy Cannon, who have been responsible for the first rate catering arrangements.

The Calvados and the Liz Yeo Cups were presented to the winners by Liz’s sister, Erica Archer, whose attendance each year helps to perpetuate the memory of a greatly missed former member who had been secretary and treasurer of Woodland Tennis Club for more than 47 years.

For more information on the club and its activities, adults should contact membership secretary Jenny Purcell on 01934 415009 or jenny@thegreenenvelope.co.uk

Juniors should contact the secretary, Annie Buckingham on 01934 415472 or annieb@woodlandtennisclub.co.uk